Introducing Dutch's Spirits: An Original New York Distillery

PINE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dutch's Spirits®, a New York State craft distillery is reviving the sprawling historic grounds of a former clandestine bootlegging operation financed by the iconic mobster, Dutch Schultz. Named for both the gangster and the county of his illicit enterprise, Dutch's Spirits® is proud to introduce Dutch's Spirits Sugar Wash Moonshine™ as one of its inaugural products.

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First built during the waning years of Prohibition, Dutch's Spirits® is an original New York distillery in the truest sense of the phrase. Co-founder Alex Adams's ancestral family farm - once known as Harvest Homestead Farm™ – was the site of a massive underground distilling operation, producing thousands of gallons of liquor against the idyllic backdrop of the town of Pine Plains, New York. The distillery – whose foundations still stand - was large enough to require an extensive network of interconnected tunnels and bunkers designed to avoid detection. For a short time, this proved successful, withstanding numerous visits from suspicious Justice Department agents. However, just after dusk on Monday, October 17th 1932, those agents found what they were looking for as they raided the site and shuttered the plant.

Now, almost 80 years later, Dutch's Spirits® is building a new distillery in the footprint of the original bunkhouse site. Recently added to the New York State Archaeological Inventory as a "Bootleg Era Bunker Complex", the New York State Historic Preservation Office describes it as consisting of "the remains of a clandestine distillation industry operation that operated for a brief period during the Prohibition era." In reviewing the site, representative Douglas Mackey stated that "no other sites of this type had been previously recorded and examined," deeming it eligible for inclusion in the State and National Register of Historic places.

During rebuilding, the numerous concrete tunnels, underground bunkers, and holding tanks still under excavation across the 400 acre estate will be preserved, while the surrounding farm and wetlands will be protected. Dutch's Spirits® aims to become a self-sustaining farm operation and ultimately, an agritourism destination. The distillery will specialize in artisanal hand-made spirits using primarily farm-sourced ingredients.

The company recently released Dutch's Colonial Cocktail Bitters, an aromatic tincture produced in part with botanicals grown on the farm. Dutch's Spirits Sugar Wash Moonshine™, handcrafted in tribute to Schultz's own hooch, and Dutch's Spirits Peach Brandy – an ode to yesteryear, are produced at partner facilities in upstate New York, while construction is underway.

Reflecting on the launch of Dutch's Spirits, Co-Founder and President Ariel Schlein commented, "We are truly excited to have the opportunity to restore an important piece of American history, and to educate the public through the experience. We aim to follow in the footsteps of thousands of farm distilleries that dotted the landscape before Prohibition, bringing added value to their crops and invigorating the community around them. While our facility progresses, we will continue to partner with other New York State craft distilleries in creating premium small batch spirits." For more information, visit www.DutchsSpirits.com.

Media Contact: Jennifer O'Flanagan at [email protected] or 917.658.7641

SOURCE Dutch's Spirits